A EPA
Environmental Technology
Verification Program
Pilot Program for Indoor Air Products
ETV Goal
To verify the environmental performance
characteristics of commercial-ready technologies
through evaluation of objective and quality assured
data so that potential purchasers are provided with
an independent and credible assessment of what
they are buying.
Indoor Air Pollution
Because people spend as much as 90% of their
time indoors, EPA is concerned about the quality of
the air in buildings. Indoor air pollution may be
generated inside the building or may come from
outside. Sources inside include combustion
sources, heating and cooling systems, building
materials, furnishings, office equipment,
appliances, products used for cleaning and
personal care, and activities such as smoking.
How the Indoor Air Product Pilot Works
This pilot is a partnership with the Research
Triangle Institute (RTI). RTI has organized
stakeholder groups for the first two target
industries, with others to be organized within the
next year. Current stakeholders include industry,
government and other customers, government
agencies, American Lung Association, and testing
laboratories. Where appropriate, trade
associations and professional societies are invited
to partner in a validation area to obtain input from
small businesses and a wide range of stakeholders.
The stakeholder groups provide technical input to
the process. The testing protocols are published as
EPA documents.
Verification Areas
Commercial Furniture
State and federal governments have required
emissions testing data for bids to supply office
furniture to new office buildings. While similar, the
test protocols used are not identical. A stakeholder
group worked with RTI to develop a single test
protocol based on the best current information. This
would reduce the effort required by purchasing
organizations to prepare specifications, reduce
duplication of testing, and improve the quality of
information available to the purchasing community.
The draft protocol was completed in September
1997 and is currently being reviewed. Verification
testing will begin in mid 1998.
Ventilation Air Filters
Particulate matter is a pollutant that can be
removed by filters and air cleaners. Because of
health concerns, EPA has proposed a new National
Ambient Air Quality Standard for sub-2.5 • m
particles (PM2.s). The American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) is currently balloting on Proposed
Standard 52.2P Method of Testing General
Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal
Efficiency by Particle Size. General ventilation
filters are used in central heating, air conditioning
and ventilation systems in residential and
commercial buildings. RTI is working with a
stakeholder group to define a testing protocol
based on the ASHRAE 52.2P method. A pilot test
has been run and verification testing is expected to
begin by mid 1998.
For additional information on this ETV Pilot, please contact:
Dr. Les Sparks, (919) 541-2458
U.S. EPA Project Officer
http://www.epa.gov/etv/
http://etv.rti.org
Dr. David Ensor, (919) 541-6735
RTI Project Manager
Deborah Franke, (919) 541-6826
RTI Deputy Program Manager
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